Electrically-heated shoe-cabinet and method of using same



A. A. DIONNE.

ELECTRICALLY HEATED SHOE CABINET AND METHOD OF USING SAME.

' APPLICATION FILED APR.28. 192

1,372,488. Patenwd Mar. 22, 1921.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR A.DIONNE, OF BROCKTON, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO BOSTON LAST COMPANY, OF BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS, A CORPORATION OF MAINE.

ELECTRICALLY-HEATED SHOE-CABINET AND METHOD OF USING SAME.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Mar. 22, 1921.

Application filed April 2B, 1920. Serial No. 377,260.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, ARTHUR A. DIONNE, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Brockton, in the county of Plymouth and State of Massachusetts, have invented an Improvement in Electricall -Heated Shoe- Cabinets and -Methods of sing Same, of which the following description, in connection with the accompanying drawings, is a specification, like letters on the drawings representing like parts.

My present invention is an improved and novel cabinet or apparatus, for use in dressing, finishing and repairing shoes or the like, particularly patent leather shoes or others having a finishing coating. In the manufacture of shoes, thevarious processes through which the shoes and uppers are passed during the manufacture, and the rough usage to which they are subjected, mars the finished sur face of the upper materials. Consequently one of the steps in the finishing room is to have operators go over the upper with a suitable liquid, corresponding in color, finish, glaze or the like to that of the particular leather of the shoes. Thus for example if a case of 02; blood shoes are completed, excepting for the finishing, the shoes are taken, a pair at a time, and a corresponding ox blood liquid utilized for a final finishing coat, repairing the marred spots or portions, and completing the normal appearance of the leather. This work is also important oil-black shoes, upon patent leather shoes, toe caps and the like, as well as on the various colors now generally used in shoe manufacture.

Great difi'culty has heretofore been found in handling the liquid used for such repairing, as its exposure to the air quickly coagulates and deteriorates, while a further difficulty of applying to the shoes for the final finishing coat is always present because'of the dustin the room or air drafts which cause the finishing liquid to flow in uneven or streaky ways; A current of air striking a pair of shoes which has just been finished, will cause one part to set or dry unevenly from the rest, and thus spoil an otherwise complete and perfect pair of shoes, relegating them to the cheaper grades. In order to keep the finishing room, therefore, free from air drafts, it is customary to keep the windows tightly closed, and also to' have the temperature of the finishing roomas high as the operators can stand, usually 90 to 100 F, in order to maintain the liquid dressing in proper state and efiect a correct drying of the shoes. My present invention obviates the difficulties above noted and consists in apparatus and method of using the same which protects the liquid dressing from dust, from air currents, and maintains the same heated and in the desired consistency at all times, furthermore protecting and maintaining the shoes in proper heated atmosphere and temper while theoperator applies the liquid dressing, and while the same is drying, and furthermore protects the operator from the undue and enervating temperat-ure heretofore requisite in finishing rooms of shoe factories.

In carrying out my invention I provide a receptacle containing a heated portion preferably using an electrical heating unit for this purpose which is clean, quick-acting,

and whose temperature can be accurately cpntrolled, arranging the dressing liquid or liquids in the apparatus adjacent the heater, and providing convenient and ample space for a pair or plurality of pairs of shoes to be also applied within the apparatus in con- \"Gllllll? reach of the operator and near the liquid dressing containers, while enabling the operator to stand entirely free and clear of this apparatus and yet look through the same through a glass topand observe the shoes, dressing, and therebywenable the operator to quickly and effectively apply the dressing to the shoes. My apparatus may even be positioned adjacent open windows, thereby securing the benefit of good light and free and fresh air for the operator and yet protecting the heating devices, liquid dressing and the shoes while the dressing is applied and drying thereon, from cold, dust, air currents, etc., thus insuring even and uniform work and satisfactory results. Other features, advantages and detailsof construction will be hereinafter more fully pointed out and claimed.

Referring to the drawings illustrating a preferredforni of the apparatus and the preferred method of usingthe same,

Figure lis a plan'view;

Fig. 2 is a front view; and i Fig. 3 is a cross-sectional view on the lin 33 of Fig. l.

The apparatus as illustrated in the drawings may be of any convenient size and length, the proportions illustrated and the shoes shown therein, being for explanatory purposes merely. It will also be understood that my invention is useful for other purposes than for work in shoe factories and in being a portable working cabinet, adapted to protect work from dust, air currents, etc,

' while conserving the heat supply therein.

In other words, my apparatus is a small,

highly heated, drying room or cabinet, in which the work of applying liquid dressing or the like is performed while the operator is stationed outside, and yet with perfect facility forlooking through the top sides or walls of the apparatus to perform the work effectively. As shown in the drawings, the apparatus comprises a box-like receptacle adapted to seat upon a bench, table or other support 1, this recept cle consisting in the bottom plate 2, back 3, sides i and 5, and a 'top frame 6 carrying glass or the like 7. Preferably a plurality of braces S, 8, on

which the glass plates are supported intermed ate the ends 4: and 5 are'provided. i

also prefer to have the top and the glass therein inclined or slanting substantially a shown, with the front'of the box as indicated at 10, Fig. 3, entirely open, so that the hands and arms of the operator may extend therein, and leave ample room for pcsitioning'the shoes or other articles to be treated and manipulating the same while applying the dressing under the glass 7.

I prefer to supply to the rear of the cabinet,ad'jacent the back 3, an electric heating 'unit 12, to which current carrying wires 13 be varied as desired. The receptacle by havi ngfthe heating element adjacent the back, substantially as shown, conserves the heat, and insures the higher degree of heat to ap- 'ply to the liquid dressing contained in the receptacles 15, 16, 17 and18. These receptacles may be the usual liquid containing boxes in which a feed roll 20 is mounted,

and the operator applies a sponge 21, taking same from receptacle 22 adjacent the apparatus, rolling it over the feed rolls to secure a mass of liquid dressing and then supplying'it to the shoes 25. I prefer also to provide a plurality of these liquid containing receptacles and rolls in each, so that if desired, one can; contain oneliquid dressing, .and anothera separate or difierent color,

separate sponges being utilized when requisite. {l j p 7 r The method of using this apparatus will be readily understood. In the finishing work on shoes, for example, the shoes are wheeled up to the finishing rooms in racks, arranged in pairs, and the operator takes a plurality of pairs, fits them within the open front 10 of the device, and they at once receive the liow of heat from the heater 12, and become in proper temper or condition to receive the liquid dressing to be applied. The dressing containers 15, 1O, .17 and 18, are usually filled up at the beginning of the day and are in correct condition at us! the right temperature for applying the same. The operator then with the sponge 2-1, rolls across the desired roller to feed up dressing of the color to be applied, takes one shoe at a time and runs the sponge over the upper, replacing the shoe and repeating the operation successively. Meanwhile the treated shoe or shoes are drying and the dressing is setting while the operator is attending to the other shoes, and by the time all have been finished, the first pair will probably be ready to remove from the aoparatus and be replaced on the rack. Both the liquid dressing, containers and the articles are preserved from dust. from air currents effecting uneven drying. and the operator is substantially protected from the extremely high temperature to have these articles in the best condition for use and also partially protected from the odor. However, the operator is enabled to work to advantage at high speed as the transparent top T enables the dressing to be applied as quickly as in prior methods, where no protecting cabinet and heat retaining apparatus has been used. l urthermore, by the use of my apparatus and method, heavier drossing can be used, which can be applied to cheaper leather, and thus secure a better finish thereon, preventing flaking, streaking. etc. My method also maintains the leather in better dressing-receiving condition. This is important in patent leather work and in certain other kinds of colored leathers.

While the utilization and operation of my apparatus above described is a convenient way of carrying out the invention, I also contemplate the use of a combined roll container and sponge holder as indicated at 26,

Fig. 1. This may be employed for each roller desired, and therefore each separate container has a receptacle 27 to hold the sponge 28, the roll 29 in this modified form being at one end of the receptacle 26. Consequently the operator can pull this entire receptacle 26 forward when using the particular color or dressing desired, still retaining the same within the tempering heat of the apparatus, and yet moving it into convenient reach. When the number of shoes desiredto be dressed with this color have been finished, it can be replaced at the back to a temperature sufiicient to maintain liquid dressing at desired temperature and consistency, means within said receptacle to contain work to receive the liquid dressing while substantially at said temperature and means permitting the operator to view the work and apply the dressing thereto through the receptacle.

2. Apparatus of the kind described, consisting in a partially inclosed receptacle adapted to be heated, heating means within said receptacle, dressin containers adjacent said heating means anc space within the receptacle to receive work and hold the same, in position to bring the work to a liquid receiving temperature and to dry the liquid quickly when applied.

3. Apparatus of the kind described, consisting in a partially inclosed receptacle adapted to be heated, heating means within said receptacle, dressing containers adjacent said heating means and space within the receptacle to receive Work and hold the same, in position to bring the work to a liquid receiving temperature and to dry the liquid quickly when applied, together with a transparent top for the receptacle through which the operator may look when applying the dressing to the work. i

4. The method of applying liquid dressing to shoes or the like, which consists in supplying a receptacle adapted to hold the plurality of shoes during the work of ap plying the dressing thereto, and to dry the dressing quickly, when so applied, said receptacle containing the dressing to be ap plied and heating means to maintain the same at a relatively high degree of temperature, dust protecting means, air current pro tecting devices, and a transparent top or cover through which the operator may look while applying the dressing to the shoes,

while said dressing andshoes are subjected to the heating means.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification.

ARTHUR A. DIONNE. 

